Wal-Mart has donated US$255,000 to the Scholarship Program for Chinese Women Workers, providing educational scholarships for 70 migrant workers in China's Guangdong Province.

"Wal-Mart has a long track record of contributing to the communities wherever we operate," said Ed Chan , president and CEO, Wal-Mart China. "While migrant women workers have made great contributions to society, most lack the opportunity to build a successful career. We are honored to have this opportunity to provide the much-needed support to the chosen recipients for their advanced education."

The scholarships were awarded at a ceremony at the Panyu campus of the Guangdong Women's Professional Technical College.

This contribution is one of several initiatives supported by Wal-Mart Ethical Standards Department in collaboration with the Wal-Mart Foundation. The Wal-Mart Ethical Standards Department launched its International Giving Program in 2006. The purpose of the IGP is to strengthen the supply chain by empowering factory workers through education. Although the IGP focuses on factory workers and their family, other members of the population can also benefit from the program.

The IGP in collaboration with Wal-Mart Foundation awarded the grant for "the Scholarship Program for Chinese Women Workers" to Asia Foundation on July 18, 2006. This scholarship program is the first program of its kind, sponsoring advanced education for migrant women workers in the heart of China's booming manufacturing center, the Pearl River Delta. By focusing on advanced vocational education, the program should dramatically improve the career prospects of these women.

According to Wal-Mart, 40 scholarship recipients will study pre-school education and computer application technology at the GWPTC, while the other 30 recipients will study at other five vocational schools in the Pearl River Delta.

Courses provided by those colleges and schools include human resource management, business administration, logistics management, computer science, foreign languages and economics.

The scholarships will cover tuition fees, course materials and accommodation. Students in extreme financial need may also apply for cost of living stipends. In order to qualify for the scholarships, applicants must be:
1) Migrant women workers who have worked for more than a year in Guangdong and who are not registered as permanent residents of Guangdong Province;
2) Over 16 years of age, with middle school diplomas or above;
3) Recipients of a monthly income below RMB 800 or an average income per family member of less than RMB 400 who are unable to afford the overall cost of education.

The scholarship sponsorship is one of Wal-Mart's many contributions to communities in China. Since Wal-Mart's entry into China in 1996, the company has been actively engaged in corporate social responsibility programs targeting five specific areas: social and economic sustainability, community development, educational sponsorship, child care, and disaster relief. To date, Wal-Mart has donated more than RMB 26 million to corporate social responsibility programs in China and Wal-Mart employees have contributed more than 130,000 man hours.

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